Venetian blind rail



Nov. 4, 1952 B, B. JUNKUNC VENETIAN BLIND RAIL Filed Oct. 16, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET l wiwi INVENTOR. miauw Nov. 4, 1952 y B. B. JuNKuNc 2,616,496

VENETIAN BLIND RAIL Filed oct. 1e, 1947 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 t .fr ,W 20M INVEN TOR.

' L a I 1, 'af- Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PAT ENT GFFI CE VENETIAN BLIND RAIL Bela B. .'lunkunc, Chicago, Ill., 'assignor to Bela B. Junk-unc, AlexanderpJunkunc, Sr., Alexander .Junkuna Jr., `and Joseph G. Junkunc, a partnership doing .businessasJ .& J Tool.& Machine Co., Chicago, lll.

vimplication#October 16, 1947,., Serial No. 780,184

Claims. 1

This invention relates to a. 'Venetian blind rail, and particul-arly to a sectional rail that may be built up to any desired length.

Venetian blinds for large windows have A:heretofore been made only to order, and the indi- Vidualfized manufacture of fthe topl and bottom rails not infrequently makes such blinds vmore expensive than ythe increases Iof area of the blinds warrant. In accordance with the present "invention a plurality of mass produced rail .sections are secured together by standard coupling members to produce uniform appearing 'top or bottom rails of any required length Without a 1special manufacturing job for ever-y :different length. Roller or pulley structure may be provi-ded in Ievery coupling member, but for economy, itis preferred to provide pulleys in only Vsome -0-f the coupling members, and these coupling members will be positioned in the completed rail only Where 'such pulley structure is required. In the completed rail the individual section-al rails are reinforced at the junction of each rail section and coupling member, so that the rail actually has greater transverse strength than an integral rail made of sheet 'metal comparable in lgauge to lthat used in makin-g the rail sections.

The structure by Vwhich the above advantages are attained will be described in the following specication, taken in `conjunction the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a Venetian blind embodying the invention, with the resilient tape fastening clips removed;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of a resilient clip for holding the ends of `the tapes;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of `a rail vsection and adjoining coupling member;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration vof the top and bottom, th-e headboard and the arrangement of the pulling cord `for a Venetian blind of a length too` great to be satisfactorily operated by a single pulling cor-d `adracent each end ci 'the blind;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the rail sections;

Fig. 6 isa detail perspective view of one olf the coupling vmembers embodying the presen-t invention, showing the pulley structure rigidly secured therein;

Fig. 7 isa fragmentary perspective View showing a coupling member `with two adjoining rail sections partially assembled therewith.;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through one of the rails, showing the associated pulley and cord structure; vand Fig. 9 is Va Vcross sectional vie-w through `oneof the coupling members that has a pulley structure mounted therein.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a bottom rail comprising a plurality vof rail sections 3 connected by coupling members A. The two outer or 'end vrail sections `are closed by end caps 3' lto give the rails an attractive iinished appearance.

Each rail section 3 comprises a tubular length of sheet metal of substantially rectangular cross section, with thecorners rounded. The coupling members each comprise a top wall 5, a pair ol sidewalls `6 and 1, and flanges `8 and Il turned inwardly 'from the vbott-om edges of side Walls `l and 1, respectively.

The cross sectional area-of rail section 3 isonly very slightly in excess of the-cross sectional area of coupling member 4. Side walls 6 and 1 and anges 8 and 9 of the coupling .members have suiiicient resiliency so that rail sections 3 Acan be slid over either end of ya vcoupling member. The frictional engagement of the coupling 'member vand the rail section will hold the two firmly lin place. The center portion I0 of coupling member 4 is embossed slightly, as indicated at vI I, on the top and both side walls, to make the center portion flush With the surface of the rail sections when the rail sections are moved thereagainst. If the total overall length of rail required for a particular window cannot be attained by joining a number of regular sections 3 by coupling members 4 and closing the ends with end `caps 3', the diierence in length may be compensa-ted for by using `end caps of a different relative length than that shown.

The ends of coupling members 4 extend so .deeply into the rail sections `that a dou-ble thickness ozf metal extends throughout a substantial length of the rail, thereby providing .greater transverse strength than an integral rail of ia single thickness of metal would have.

Side walls 6 and l and adjoining nanges 8 and 9 are notched, :as Aindicated at I2 and I3, respectively, at the bottom of center portion I0, to provide space for insertion of the ends of tapes I4. Flanges I5 Yand I6 are bent inwardly from the bottoms of side walls 6 and l at the notched area, and are provided with serrated edges I1 and I8 to engage the tapes, The notched areas are closed by resilient clips I9 having opstanding walls 20 and 2| offset inwardly and apertured, as indicated at 22 and 23, to engage the ends of the teeth making up the serrated edges 'I1 and I8, projecting through the cloth tapes.

The center portion I of each coupling member is apertured through its top wall, as indicated at 24, so that cord 25 may pass therethrough. A channel member 26 is welded or otherwise secured to the underside of top wall 5. The channel member is also apertured in registration with aperture 24. A pulley 21 is rotatably mounted in the side walls of channel member 26 adjacent one side of aperture 24. The channel member and pulley may be secured in every coupling member, but it is preferred to provide some coupling members without this pulley structure and to position the coupling members having the pulley structure where they lare needed. The pulley structure is uniform in each coupling mem-ber in which it is secured, and the pulley is positioned on the left or right of aperture 24 in the installation, as desired, merely by turning the coupling member one way or the other when it is to be assembled with rail sections 3.

A headboard 28 is supported adjacent the top of the window frame by means of brackets 29 which are secured at opposite sides of the frame. The headboard, which is preferably a solid Wooden strip, is rigidly mounted on brackets 29. The headboard may be grooved as indicated at 28', to provide a recess for the knots of the cord and the pulleys over which the ropes pass. rlhe headboard may be tubular, but ordinarily it is preferred not to use this more expensive structure because the headboard is concealed troni view by a conventional facia board.

A top rail 3o is pivotally mounted on brackets 29 just under headboard 28. A conventional tilting mechanism 3| is operated by a cord or chain 32 to rotate top rail 30 within predetermined limits. The facia board (not shown) extends in front of headboard 28 and conceals the entire headboard and the space between the headboard and top rail 30.

As shown in Fig. 4, a compound pulley structure is provided adjacent each side of the blind. It will be understood that the number of pulleys may be increasedas the width of the blind is increased, in cases where the blind is too wide to be operated satisfactorily with the pulley structure shown. In the structure illustrated, headboard 28 is provided with four apertures 33, 34, 35 and 36. A pulley 3l is mounted to the right (as viewed in Fig. 4) of aperture 33, and a pulley 33 is mounted to the right or" aperture 35. rl'op rail 38 is provided with four apertures 39, 46, 4I and 42 in vertical alignment with the apertures in headboard 28. The top rail may be a solid wooden strip, similar to headboard 28, but, because the top rail is visible under the facia board, it is preferred to make the top rail similar in appearance to bottom rail 2 to enhance the esthetic appeal of the complete installation.

In Fig. 4 a single cord 25 is looped intermediate its ends, as indicated at 43. The ends of the cord are threaded through a conventional lashing buckle 44. Both ends of cord 25 are passed over pulley 3l. One portion 45 of the cord is threaded through aperture 33, aperture 39 in top rail 30, a pair of apertures 24 in bottom rail 2, aperture 40 in top rail 28 and aperture 34 in headboard 28. The cord is knotted above aperture 34 to prevent it from being accidentally pulled through aperture 34 in the opposite direction. Coupling members 4 through Whose apertures 24 the cord passes are positioned in a reversed relationship when they are assembled with the rail section 3 positioned bewindow frames.

4 tween them. Thus as shown on Fig. 4, the pulley on the right-hand coupling member, as viewed in Fig. 4, is on the left of aperture 24, and the pulley in the next coupling member to the left is on the right of aperture 24. This arrangement permits the cord to pass over both pulleysbetween the adjacent apertures 24. The arrangement of the cord is the same at the lefthand side of the blind. The provision of a compound pulley at each side of the blind reduces the force necessary to raise the blind and makes it possible to operate a relatively wide blind with a single cord.

Tapes I4 have their bottom ends secured in bottom rail 2. by resilient clips I9. If top rail 30 is a duplicate of bottom rail 2, except for the pulley structure, the front and back portions of each tape 'I4 may be separate, with the upperends secured in top rail 30 by resilient clips I9. Otherwise the central portion of the tape extends-around top rail 36 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner. If tape I4 does pass over the top of top rail 30, it is obvious that the tape must be apertured to permit cord 25 to pass therethrough.

Tapes I4 have transverse fabric webs 41 spaced at regular longitudinal intervals to provide ladder-like supportsfor slats 48. Each slat 48 is apertured, and cord 25 passes through the apertures to keepy the slats aligned vertically. Partial rotation of top rail 30, within the limits permitted by turning mechanism 3I, causes simultaneous rotation of bottom rail 2 and each of the slats 48 to the same extent.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised a Venetian blind rail that may be used as either a top or bottom rail, and may be built up to any desired length Without the expense necessary to manufacture special rails for wide The intertting construction of the rail sections and coupling members reinforces the rail at every joint so that it is at least as strong structurally as an integral sheet metal rail.

Although one preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a Venetian blind rail, a plurality of tubular rail sections, at least one intermediate coupling member having its ends rigidly telescoped into said rail sections, said ends extending a substantial distance into said rail sections to impart strength to the connecton between said coupling member and said rail sections, an aperture in the central portion of said coupling member between said rail sections, and a pulley mounted in said coupling memberadjacent said aperture.

2. In a' Venetian blind, a bottom rail comprising a plurality of identical intermediate coupling members, each Yhaving an apertured top wall and a pulley mounted adjacent said aperture, and a plurality of rail sections rigidly telescoped a substantial distance over opposite ends of adjacent coupling members, some of said coupling members being reversed before assembly in said rail, whereby the pulleys of two adjacent coupling members are positioned between the apertures of said' coupling members.

3. In a bottom rail for Venetian blinds, a plurality of rail sections, and a plurality of duplicate intermediate coupling members rigidly joining said rail sections, each of said coupling members including an apertured top wall and a pulley mounted adjacent said aperture in longitudinal alignment therewith, some of said coupling members being reversed before assembly into the rail to position pulleys on two adjacent coupling members between the apertures of said coupling members.

4. In a Venetian blind, a bottom rail comprising a plurality of separate rail sections interconnected by coupling members interposed between adjacent rail sections, each coupling member having its opposite ends fitting snugly and rigidly for a substantial distance into opposed ends of adjacent rail sections, a longitudinally extending channel member rigidly secured to the undersurface of the top of said coupling member, a pulley rotatably mounted in the side walls of said channel member, and an aperture through said channel member and the top of said coupling member adjacent said pulley.

5. A Venetian blind rail comprising a plurality of tubular rail sections rigidly joined by at least one intermediate coupling member to form a rail of great strength and of a desired length, said coupling member comprising a top wall having an aperture therein, side walls and a pair of anges turned inwardly from the bottoms of opposite sides of said side walls, a channel rigidly secured to the under surface of said top wall, and a puliey mounted in said channel adjacent said aperture, the said top wall, side walls and anges being adapted to be frictionally telescoped into two of said tubular rail sections so that said rail sections may be rigidly connected.

BELA B. JUNKUNC.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,910,335 Hopp May 23, 1933 2,158,826 Lorentzen May 16, 1939 2,161,414 Hammer June 6, 1939 2,222,674 Lorentzen Nov. 26, 1940 2,391,904 Junkunc Jan. 1, 1946 2,569,173 Junkunc Sept. 25, 1951 

